Academic Credential:

Emory University D.Min, Atlanta GA,

Asbury Theological Seminary M.A, Wilmore KY

McMaster University M.Div, Hamilton ON

York University B.A, Toronto ON

Rev. Dr. Won D. Kim

Rev. Dr. Won Kim

Pastor, Practical Theologian, Father, Husband & committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Pastoral Experience:

Thrive Church - Lead Pastor, Highland MI 2024 - Present 

St. Paul Methodist Church - Lead Pastor, Elkton MI 2016 - 2024

Korean Methodist Church of Detroit - Associate Pastor, Troy MI 2011 - 2015

Eaglesfield Community Church - Youth Pastor, Burlington ON 2007 - 2011

Immanuel Methodist Church - Youth Pastor, Toronto ON 2004 - 2007

Grace Mount Methodist Church - English Pastor, Los Angeles CA 1999 - 2004

Chaplaincy:

Scheurer Hospital, Country Bay Sr Living Community 2017 - 2024

Genesys Regional Hospital, Pastoral Clinical Training 2015 - 2016

The Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training, Chaplaincy 2016

Ordination Credential:

Ordained Elder in the Global Methodist Church. (GMC)

Calling:

To Proclaim the Word of God and to Lead God's people in ministries of compassion and justice and to Administer the Holy Sacraments and to order the life of the church.

Connectional Ministry Experience:

Great Lakes Annual Conference Board of Ministry.

Task Committee of the Certified Lay Minister, The Global Methodist Church.

About Won & Family 

Rev. Dr. Won Kim is a Korean Canadian-American, the son of a Methodist minister who was born in Seoul, Korea and grew up in Toronto Ontario before moving to the U.S.  While preparing to become a veterinarian, he had a personal encounter with Jesus and sensed God's calling, leading him to commit his life to pastoral ministry. He has been in ministry for more than 25 years in teaching, mentoring, and preaching wherever the LORD has called him. His diverse pastoral background includes congregational ministry, international mission, campus ministry, and hospital chaplaincy. Pastor Kim aspires to be a Christ-minded shepherd, following the biblical principle of rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).  Pastor Kim is passionate about building a church that is based on a Holy Spirit-inspired movement, seeking to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the Authority of Scripture, committed to spreading Scriptural Holiness and capturing the best of Wesleyan Orthodox DNA.

Pastor Kim received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from York University in Toronto Ontario (B.A, 2007), a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from McMaster University Divinity College in Hamilton Ontario (M.Div, 2012), a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry & Wesleyan Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky (M.A, 2018) and a Doctor of Ministry with a focus on church leadership and community witness at Emory University Candler School of Theology in Atlanta Georgia. (D.Min, 2024) The dissertation is entitled "Expanding Leadership in Contexual Ecclesiology: A Comprehensive Study on the Connection between Discipleship and Leadership" a research study that aims to provide both spiritual and practical solutions for Christian Leadership in our ecclesial setting. 

Pastor Kim is married to his college best friend Jessie, whom he met while studying music at Santa Monica College in California. Pastor Won and his wife Jessie are blessed with three children; Ryan (15), Joy (12), and Sarabeth (10).  Pastor Kim is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church (The Great Lakes Annual Conference) and he is the lead pastor of Thrive Church in Highland Michigan.